Top 9 Date Ideas for Rainy Days
The cooler season has arrived and with that social activities escape to the indoors. Mia Castagnone has the ultimate list of the top 9 date ideas for rainy days.
The days of lounging at a park with a picnic for hours or lying on the hot sand of Sydney’s beaches are well and truly behind us. We’ve already experienced many on and off rainy days, which sadly seems to be the definitive forecast. The cooler season has arrived and with that social activities escape to the indoors.
But unlike the weather forecast, our dates with our loved ones do not have to be so doom and gloom. Here is the ultimate list of the top 9 date ideas for rainy days.
9. Carpool Karaoke
If you’ve never tried going for an aimless drive around town while singing at the top of your lungs to your favourite Spotify playlists - then you’re missing out. With the rain ending any chances for romantic walks on the beach, now is the time to seek the comfort of your car.
First work out a general idea of where you are going to drive to- if you live north, drive south, if you live west, drive east. The city at night is beautiful with all its glistening lights and blasting your favourite music makes the moment even better. If your partner is in shotgun, they are now the official DJ. Ask them to create a playlist as you drive, which will now be your carpool karaoke playlist. Driver gets to select which drive-thru you go to. If you don’t have a car, you can try a Goget membership or the classic, share the earbuds move while you’re commuting on the bus or train.
8. Get That Endorphin Hit
When you exercise your body releases endorphins, aka. The happy hormone. Believe it or not, even if the sound of exercising may fill you with dread so trying it with your partner is far more gratifying than exercising alone. Blast some music and channel your inner Michelle Bridges – your relationship may be tested during that 10-minute warm up, but trust our advice, the happy hormones will kick in.
You’ll both be feeling great afterwards and your body and mind will associate exercise with endorphin-high, positive feelings that will also extend to the feelings you have with your partner. With rain occurring outdoors causing us to lounge around more indoors, try cutting loose some energy in an indoor gym session!
7. Get your Nigella on!
I don’t mean pancakes or eggs. I mean something special. Something challenging. Something exciting. Something that will take a day to prep because you aren’t going anywhere anytime soon in this terrible weather. Try Nigella Lawson’s ‘wide noodles with lamb shank in aromatic broth’ or Yotam Ottolenghi’s ‘braised eggs with leek and za’atar’.
6. Find your inner Bob Ross
Grab a bottle of red wine and make some ‘happy accidents’ of a different kind with your partner featuring Bob Ross. You can find all the art gear including a canvas, paint, brushes from Officeworks. Remember, most of us won’t end up with a masterpiece but that’s where the wine comes in.
5. Go to an indoor ice rink
There are still some activities that can be done indoors. Ice skating is one of them and you can head to Alexandria’s Ice Zoo or Canterbury Ice Rink. Clubs may still be closed but you can still try Saturday-night DJ powered disco on ice.
4. Visit the latest Art Exhibition
If falling on your ass on an ice rink isn’t your style, there are other options. Sydney is home to several art galleries - some of which are free - including NSW Art Gallery, White Rabbit Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Space and RO9 – just to name a few.
3. Think of the worst movie ever and watch it together
Sure you could watch a ‘good’ movie. But why not watch a crappy movie that will get you laughing and cringing together? My recommendation is to sit through the Twilight series- my mother and I have never bonded so much over a teen film in my life. Alternatively, nothing speaks bonding than cuddling during a horror movie on a cold winter evening (even if it’s more gripping in fear than cuddling).
I do weirdly love seeing other people get scared during a horror film but if you’re someone who doesn’t get scared easily there is still the enjoyment of laughing during poorly made horror films (check out the Scream series).
2. Wake up late, order Uber eats and listen to podcasts
Sometimes doing less is more and with our lives becoming increasingly busy and stressed, sometimes a day indoors is the way to go. Give our eyes and the tension building around our necks a reprieve by lying back and listening to a podcast together.
Go walking in the rain
Not the torrential kind, I mean when the rain does give in a bit and is more of a pitter-patter, grab a raincoat and shoes you don’t mind getting wet, hand-in-hand wander to your nearest café. While the streets are quiet and the air is crisp, it’s a total vibe for those lazy Sunday afternoons.
If you haven’t been to the Darling Square area, I highly recommend. Hopping off the lightrail at Market City you can wander down toward streets of eateries. Get away from the weather by seeking the warmth of cafe Kurtosh, where you can get quality cakes and coffee. (But if you do get caught in heavy rain at any point- hey perfect moment to recreate that scene in The Notebook).